Unity and Healing

Jim:

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
10:24 is a consistent theme for Paul as it was for Jesus: “Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.” When we concentrate on serving one another and not on seeing to ourselves the entire community it built up. When we see only to our own needs the entire community is pulled apart. At the battle of Culloden the English soldiers were instructed not to defend themselves directly, but to defend the ones standing next to them. This was the only way to counteract the ferocious assault of the Scottish Highlanders who had learned to push aside a bayonet with their small shields before dispensing with the soldier. When the English troops began to defend one another this attack was offset and the English won the battle. Paul is encouraging his readers to put others first so that the community of faith may flourish and God’s name be glorified.

Mark 7:24-37
What always strikes me about readings such as this one is the fact that Jesus has no set way of healing in the gospels. In the case of the deaf and mute man Jesus touches him and even spits on his tongue. But in the case of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, Jesus does not even see the girl but heals her from a distance. There are other methods related throughout the gospels by which Jesus brings health and wholeness to individuals. He sometimes uses mud as a salve. On other occasions simply touching the hem of his robe brings healing. Jesus’ ability to heal is not found in the method of the healing. This is not some sort of parlor trick he has developed, nor does he dispense herbs. Jesus’ power is an authentic expression of God’s love for people. Jesus has the ability to heal because God has given Jesus the authority to heal however that healing takes place.